All picS (except Zoe): tHegroupofSeven.co.uk interview i ❤ harbourside shipshape talks to Zoe Swindell, Harbourside project manager for Destination <strong>Bristol</strong>, about what makes the city unique and what <strong>2010</strong> has in store Tell us a little bit about your role I’m the Harbourside project manager for Destination <strong>Bristol</strong>, an organisation that exists to promote and raise the profile of the <strong>Bristol</strong> city region as a world-class place to visit, study, play, work and live. My role is focused on delivering improvements around the harbour, making it an even better place for local people and visitors to explore and enjoy. What do you think makes <strong>Bristol</strong> such a great destination? There’s a strong sense of history and heritage and a great choice of places to visit, stay, eat and shop. Attractions such as Brunel’s ss Great Britain, <strong>Bristol</strong> Zoo Gardens, At-<strong>Bristol</strong> and Blue Reef Aquarium are second to none, and cover all ages and interests. The city plays host to a wide range of excellent festivals and outdoor events; the Balloon Fiesta and the Harbour Festival are internationally recognised. Shopping, whether you’re looking for independent stores or the high street, is also excellent. What does <strong>Bristol</strong> have that other cities don’t? <strong>Bristol</strong>’s unique position means that it has beautiful countryside and coastline on its doorstep, and a cosmopolitan feel without being claustrophobic. Where else can you catch a ferry from the train station to go shopping? We also have a fantastic brand new Tourist Information Centre, located on Harbourside, next to Watershed Media Centre, offering a wide range of information and advice to tourists and residents to help them make the most of <strong>Bristol</strong>. Do you think the Cabot Circus redevelopment has attracted more interest in the city? Most definitely. Before Cabot Circus opened, <strong>Bristol</strong> used to lag behind Cardiff, Bath and Birmingham in the shopping stakes. Now we have fantastic shopping to suit all tastes and budgets. It has shown people what good regeneration can look like and given the city something to feel proud of. It has also created momentum to improve other areas in the city. This has certainly helped with what Destination <strong>Bristol</strong> is hoping to achieve on Harbourside. We’re surrounded by a lot of energy and some great ideas. And what about the Harbourside redevelopment? The area around <strong>Bristol</strong>’s Floating Harbour is a fantastic stretch of public realm. We’re so lucky to have the water on our doorstep. The opening of the new Museum of <strong>Bristol</strong>, M-Shed, in spring 2011 will be a hugely exciting development that will really put the area on the map and complement the existing cultural attractions such as the Arnolfini, Spike Island arts centre and Brunel’s ss Great Britain. I hope that in the next 12 months people will come down and take a fresh look at the city’s waterfront in the same way that they have done with Broadmead and Cabot Circus. The coming year is looking pretty packed: what events are you most looking forward to? I’m really looking forward to this year’s Wine and Food Fair (2-4 July) and the Harbour Festival (30 July-1 August). July will be especially exciting as At-<strong>Bristol</strong> will celebrate its 10th anniversary and Brunel’s ss Great Britain will celebrate the 40th anniversary of the ship’s return to <strong>Bristol</strong>, so you can expect a bumper month of fun. Is there anything else new on the calendar for <strong>2010</strong>? In addition to July’s anniversary celebrations, September will see the Brunel Institute open its doors. This means a worldclass specialist library and the Brunel archive will be accessible to all. Also, on 24 September Ashton Court will host the start of the Gordon Bennett <strong>2010</strong> International Gas Balloon Race – the oldest and most prestigious aeronautical race in the world! <strong>Bristol</strong> is renowned for being a green city: is this important to visitors? It is increasingly important, yes. <strong>Bristol</strong> is a Fairtrade City, the UK’s first Cycling City and the only UK city nominated for The European Green Capital Award <strong>2010</strong>/11. These credentials, along with over 450 parks and green spaces, make it easy to see why <strong>Bristol</strong> has earned its status as a Green Capital. We have a whole section of the Visit <strong>Bristol</strong> website dedicated to green places to visit, eat and stay, and Destination <strong>Bristol</strong> is constantly looking to expand, develop and promote a greener tourism agenda. What do you particularly love about the city? I love the mix of water, city hustle and bustle, and green open spaces. For food, I love the laid-back vibe and view of the water at the Olive Shed, the Grain Barge and Spyglass. For romantic dining, it has to be Brasserie Blanc or the Glassboat. For cake and coffee, the Arnolfini Cafe Bar. Browns is an old favourite – it’s such a beautiful building and great for lazy lunches and early evening cocktails. For drinks, I also like the Watershed Cafe Bar and The Mall in Clifton Village. As for landmarks, I love the coloured terraces of Cliftonwood and Totterdown, the Suspension Bridge and the Wills Building when it’s lit up at night. I also love the ‘old world’ feel of Queen Square, where Destination <strong>Bristol</strong> is based. Ashton Court Estate and Leigh Woods are two of my favourite walking spots. And finally… If you’ve not taken a tour of <strong>Bristol</strong> by boat, then do so this summer – you really do get an amazing and totally different view of the city. More visitbristol.co.uk / 0333 321 0101 six <strong>Shipshape</strong>
“The opening of the new Museum of <strong>Bristol</strong> will be a hugely exciting development that will really put the area on the map” Zoe Swindell Clockwise: Skipper Rob Salvidge works on the Matthew; the Floating Harbour; Underfall Yard; workers on the waterside. interview <strong>Shipshape</strong> seven
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